Strictly Come Dancing's contestant Danny John Jules poses with some of the show's pro dancers

We then started to argue over her decision to ban all reality stars from this year’s BBC series, nixing the chance for the world to see GEMMA COLLINS take to the dance floor in what I believe is one of the biggest missed opportunities in telly history . . .

But don’t worry, she assured me, the new line-up was going to be the best yet.

A big call, I thought, given some of the past contestants who are now part of Strictly legend.

I was genuinely excited to see who the Beeb had convinced to sign – my expectations were, quite rightly, high.

Half the names were already secured, she said, and would blow me away.

So I was more than a little disappointed when a line-up was announced so lacking in genuine star power, creativity, comedy or fun that on return from my holiday I decided to express this blatantly obvious view on Twitter.

I posed the question: “Why has the BBC decided to make a civilian non-celebrity version of Strictly Come Dancing?

Seriously, biggest show on the box and this rag tag bunch of TV D-listers is the best they can do.”

My gift for Christine

THIS week I hosted my first ever baby shower – and I hope I did ­CHRISTINE LAMPARD proud, especially ­seeing as it was broadcast on ITV’s ­Lorraine.

The Loose Women anchor has been filling in over the summer for Sun ­columnist LORRAINE KELLY and it’s been a joy working with her as she stayed so focused on the job, even as her big day got ever closer.

Silvas strikes out on her own

THE world of major label record deals can bring superstardom and wealth, but singer-songwriter LUCIE SILVAS is going her own way.

She didn’t want to be “held to ransom” by a massive ­company after releasing her third LP, Letters To Ghosts, through Universal’s Decca Records, so yesterday she put out her brilliant new album E.G.O. independently.

In an exclusive chat, she said: “Sometimes I feel like it’s very difficult to make your music be heard unless you’ve got these big machines behind you, but I don’t want to be held to ransom with anything.

“I want to be able to do things on my own terms and take as long as I need to take.